Baltas: Big 'Cap 'a race you dream about winning'
Richard Baltas joined a long list of training luminaries who have won the Santa Anita Handicap when Idol stormed from behind to win Saturday’s Big ’Cap by a half-length under Joel Rosario.
Now the late-running son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin is eligible for the inaugural “Wild West Bonus” of $1 million which goes to a horse winning the Big ’Cap, the Hollywood Gold Cup (at Santa Anita on May 31) and the TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 31.
All three races are at the classic American distance of a mile and a quarter.
“He came out of the race in good order,” the 59-year-old trainer said Sunday morning. “Of course, we’re going to definitely look at it, although the Gold Cup is a long way off. I’m just happy he came out of the race very, very good.
“I knew he wanted all of a mile and a quarter, and the jockey made a bit of a difference, too. But a mile and a quarter is always what the horse wanted. He’s just a big, long-striding horse.
“We needed all of Rosario’s power in the stretch to get him home. It was a great win, a race you dream about winning. I’ve been coming to Santa Anita since I was 13 years old.
“Before I even became a trainer, I saw all the greats run in the Big ‘Cap and you never think you’re gonna be here, but you keep working hard and God blesses you.”
Blacker gets early birthday present in Kilroe
Dan Blacker celebrates his 39th birthday on March 12 but got an early present Saturday when Hit the Road won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile by a neck to give the trainer his first Grade I victory.
“I gave myself 10 years to win one and luckily we got it done in nine,” Blacker said after the exciting win under jockey Florent Geroux, who rode the four-year-old More Than Ready colt for the first time.
“It’s all about the horse; he’s such a professional animal, a true racehorse. He was born that way. He’s a true athlete and so mentally focused on racing.
“I feel fortunate to have him and a great group of owners who have been with me a long time. They’ve been so patient and I’m thrilled for them to get a win like this.”
Cool Chilean-bred acclimates well for Beholder
Sanenus has acclimated smoothly since arriving from her native Chile last summer as her dominant six-length victory in the La Canada Stakes (G3) on Jan. 9 would attest.
Next up: Saturday’s Beholder Mile (G1).
“I’m very pleased with how she’s come along for us in the last 120 days,” said Michael McCarthy, trainer of the five-year-old Scat Daddy mare who has progressed in each of her four United States starts.
Bred by Haras Matriarca and owned by Matriarca, Sanenus was third in her first two U.S. races, was second in her third, the Chilukki (G3) at Churchill Downs last November, then won the La Canada in a mild surprise at 7-1.
Umberto Rispoli, who was aboard in the La Canada, retains the mount in the Beholder.